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WWC 2025: Nilakshika’s rapid fifty lifts Sri Lanka to 258

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Nilakshika de Silva blitzed through the death overs [Cricinfo]

Nilakshika de Silva’s struck the fastest fifty at this World Cup to boost a flagging Sri Lankan innings, after it looked like they were in danger of squandering their best start with the bat all tournament. It perfectly complemented a half century from Chamari Athapaththu and meant that, having opted to bat first in Colombo, Sri Lanka managed to post a very competitive 258 for 6.

There were also meaningful contributions from Vishmi Gunaratne and Hasini Perera, but it was Silva’s timely intervention that meant Sri Lanka managed 80 runs in the final 10 overs – a significant uptick for a side that has averaged a scoring rate under five during that period. In the end she ended with 55 off 28, inclusive seven boundaries and the solitary six of the innings.

Sophie Devine was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets – including the prize scalp of Athapaththu – but also proved expensive, going for 54 in her nine overs. There were also wickets for Bree Illing – who had replaced Lea Tahuhu in the XI – and Rosemary Mair.

New Zealand however were let down by their fielding, with several chances being missed out on over the course of the Lankan innings. The first miss was inside the first powerplay, where Athapaththu got a faint nick through to the keeper when on 12, but one that was not picked up by either the umpire or any of the New Zealand fielders, aside from keeper Izzy Gaze, who made a lone appeal. With the Lankan skipper going on to score a 20th W-ODI fifty, it proved to be a rather costly error in judgment.

Sri Lanka’s innings was in fact boosted by a host of similar missed chances and fortunate reprieves.

Gunaratne was on a pained 19 off 45 when she was trapped lbw by Amelia Kerr, but with six seconds left on the clock she was convinced by Athapaththu to take the review. As it transpired there was a just the smallest murmur on Ultra Edge to indicate that there had been some bat.

Gunaratne received further lifelines across her innings, with Amelia first getting only fingertips on a low drive back, while Suzie Bates spilled an edged chance at mid-on a short while after that – also off Amelia.

That period of fortune for Sri Lanka culminated with Athapaththu shanking one to deep point, but Sri Lanka kept ticking along with the advent of lady luck. Several times, direct hit opportunities went begging as Sri Lanka sought tight singles, while outfielders were guilty of some costly misfields.

Gaze, meanwhile, missed a stumping opportunity as well as a tough caught-behind chance, while Perera was fortunate not to be given lbw when she missed a pull on a Mair slower delivery. It struck her in the midriff, but replays showed the delivery was so slow that it would have dipped on to the stumps. No review was taken despite an appeal.

But despite these fortunate instances, Sri Lanka’s batting was perhaps more conservative than usual, likely owing to their poor record through this tournament. Here they lost just two wickets leading up to the 40th but their scoring rate was still under five an over. By the time they felt safe enough to up the ante, they lost three wickets in the span of a couple of overs.

From 183 for 2 they found themselves 198 for 5, but despite the fall of wickets, Silva was unbowed as she singlehandedly raised the rate of scoring, culminating in a trio of boundaries in a 16-run final over as Sri Lanka head to the break with the momentum.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka Women 258 for 6 in 50 overs  (Vishmi Gunaratne 42, Nilakshika de Silva 55*, Chamari Athapaththu 53, Hashini Perera 44, Harshitha Samarawickreme 26; Bree Illing 2-39, Sophie Devine 3-54) vs New Zealand Women 

[Cricinfo]



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Former Zimbabwe player and umpire Sarah Dambanevana dies aged 36

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Sarah Dambanevana (1990-2026) ( Zimbabwe Cricket)

Former Zimbabwe  fast bowler and umpire Sarah Dambanevana passed away in Harare on Monday. She was 36.

A Zimbabwe Cricket release said Dambanevana was in hospital receiving care since undergoing a medical procedure in March.

Her senior international umpiring career began on 2 September 2023, and she went on to officiate at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, where she was part of the tournament’s historic all-female panel of match officials.

Prior to that, Dambanevana officiated in the final between India and England at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to umpire a World Cup final.

Overall, she officiated in 63 senior internationals, comprising 42 women’s T20Is, 11 women’s ODIs and 10 men’s T20Is, alongside her assignments in domestic cricket and global youth tournaments.

Dambanevana also represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014, including at the World Cup Qualifier in 2011. She joined the ICC development panel of umpires in 2022.

“Sarah served Zimbabwe with distinction, first as a player and then as an umpire whose ability earned her a place on the world stage,” ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said. “Watching her stand in a World Cup final was a moment of immense pride for our cricket community and our country. She showed young Zimbabwean women that they belong at the highest levels of the game, including in roles where opportunities had long been limited.

“Through her achievements, she opened doors and gave others the confidence to pursue their own ambitions. We will remember her dedication, her professionalism and her willingness to help others grow. Her passing leaves a painful void in our cricket family, but the example she set will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.”

(Cricinfo)

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Deflated Sri Lanka look to prevent whitewash against dominant Pakistan

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Kusal Mendis will hope for a better performance from himself and his team (Cricinfo)

Even counting the win against Bangladesh at the Asian Games Sri Lanka have lost 12 T20Is to the two they have won since their win against Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup. There have been significant personnel changes in that period. Captains have changed. There is a new head coach. Various batting orders have been trialled. But on Sunday’s evidence, they are deeply outmatched by even this Pakistan side, who themselves are hardly world-beaters at the moment, having not made the World Cup semi-finals this year.

With as highly-rated a coach in Gary Kirsten and a new captain in Kusal Mendis still searching desperately for a stronger combination, expect Sri Lanka to be in flux for this match as well. In game two, spinner Maheesh Theekshana was taken apart, while the seamers struggled to threaten Pakistan’s batters on a flat Rawalpindi deck. The decks don’t look like they are going to be any better for bowling. Sri Lanka’s attack will have to find new gears.

Pakistan are in the rare position of being utterly dominant in a white-ball series against an opponent who even in their previous low ebbs have challenged them. Having sewn up the trophy 2-0, Pakistan are in a position to rest key players. But it is so rare that their batters get to dine out across a whole series, management will be mighty tempted to keep this tuneful band together.

Even if Sri Lanka’s bowlers get through the Pakistan top order this time, the middle order could do with a decent workout.

So far in this series, Maaz Sadaqat  has thumped 50 off 29 balls, and 96 off 51, showcasing not only power against spin, but touch against pace when the ball has demanded it. Sri Lanka are going seam-heavy in this series, but Sadaqat has found ways to take down even the little spin he has come up against, particularly in the second T20I. Sri Lanka are likely to switch up their attack a little for the last match, so he may have new problems to solve on Tuesday.

A long-term performer in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket, Lahiru Udara has finally made a mark in white-ball internationals, hitting 91 off 55 balls in the first match of this series. A good bouncer from Salman Mirza prevented him from making a similar impact in the second match. But at age 32, Udara will know he doesn’t have many chances to convert an excellent domestic record into a long run in the national side. Anotherood score in match three will shore up his place.

Rawalpindi surfaces have tended to be batting friendly, and the track for the third T20I will likely have plenty of runs in it. The weather on Tuesday evening is expected to be fine, with temperatures in the low 20s celsius.

As legspinner Abrar Ahmed has had a couple of modest outings in this series, Pakistan may bring in left-arm wristspinner Sufyan Moqim, whose T20I stats so far in a 21-match career are encouraging.

Pakistan XI (probable): Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Fakhar Zaman,  Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk),  Shadab Khan,  Mohammad Imran,  Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza,  Sufyan Moqim

Sri Lanka’s misfiring top order could do with a tweak or two, but there are not many spare batters on this tour. They could potentially bring back Kamil Mishara in place of an allrounder, however. With Maheesh Theekshana having been taken down on Sunday, Sri Lanka will also be tempted to try out legspinner V Viyaskanth. Dushmantha Chameera could also come back if he is fit.

Sri Lanka XI (probable): Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena,  Kusal Mendis (capt, wk),  Kamindu Mendis,  Sahan Arachchige,  Dasun Shanaka,  Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana/V Viyaskanth, Eshan Malinga,  Dushmantha Chameera/Binura Fernando,  Nuwan Thushara

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Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 13 October 2026
Issued at 2.00 p.m. on 12 October 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

A low-pressure area may form over the southeastern Bay of Bengal by 13 October.

Under the influence of this system, an increase in rainfall is expected over the island and the deep and shallow sea areas around the island during the next few days from tomorrow (13).

The general public, as well as the naval and fishing communities, are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces.
Fairly heavy showers  above 75 mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early hours of the morning.

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